Chess game board

ABSTRACT

A chess game involving a game board of multiple spiral configuration provided with a center space or island and intended for a predetermined number of players depending upon the structure of the board. The arrangement involves two spirals for two players, three spirals for three players, etc., thus, the number of players determines the number of spirals required for the game board. By removing peripheral segments from the game board, the game may be rendered easier. The movements of the various pieces are generally similar to those of a standard chess game, except that certain ones move in curvilinear paths and pass through or across the center island.

United States Patent [191 Hitchcock et al.

[ Dec. 3, 1974 CHESS GAME BOARD [76] Inventors: David B. Hitchcock; James L.

Laurie, both of 129 /2 W. John St.. Maumee. Ohio [22] Filed: Jan. 8, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 321,649

[52] US. Cl 273/131 B,,273/131 KN [51] Int. Cl. A63f 3/02 [58] Field of Search 273/131, 136

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1967 Kass 273/131 AD OTHER PUBLICATIONS Popular Mechanics; August 1972; pg. 1 10 cited.

Primary Examiner-Delbert B. Lowe Attorney, Agent, or-FirmMalcolm W. Fraser [5 7 ABSTRACT A chess game'involving a game board of multiple spiral configuration provided with a center space or island and intended for a predetermined number of players depending upon the structure of the board. The arrangement involves two spirals for two players, three spirals for three players, etc., thus, the number of players determines the number of spirals required for the game board. By removing peripheral segments from the game board, the game may be rendered easier. The movements of the various pieces are generally similar to those of a standard chess game, except that certain ones move in curvilinear paths and pass through or across the center island.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures msmes PATENTEL DEC PATENTEL um: 3mm

SHEET 3 OF 3 CHESS GAME BOARD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The game of chess has for centuries been played by two participants on a chess board including 64 squares. The finite possibilities with respect to the series of moves which may be undertaken by participants, and the advent of the three player board, whereby three opponents may play against each other simultaneously, have, in no small measure, contributed to the continuing popularity of this intellectual undertaking.

l-Ieretofore the game usually has been confined to play by two participants. Where participants of significantly disparate skills are pitted against each other, the superior player will win with monotonous regularity, unlike other games, such as card games, wherein the outcome is, in some degree, dependent upon the luck of the draw.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION squares can decide the complexity of the game before beginning. The fewer the rows the easier, (minimum of 4 maximum suggested 8), the more rows the more complex. This is done in such a manner as to permit players familiar with conventional chess pieces immediately to visualize the spaces which may be available for the movement of the various playing pieces so as properly to mount and defend against an attack. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide chess boards which are so configurated and arranged as to permit the more or less conventional movements of 2 (on the double spiral) or 4 (on the quadruple spiral) players to engage in the movement of 2 or 4 armies respectively of chess pieces, thereby enabling the simultaneous participation of 2, 3 or 4 players respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a chess board for two players produced in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the chess board shown in the center as reduced to its minimal size and showing the separated curved segments which can be added to make the board of the size shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a game board for four players showing how segments can be added to increase complexity of the game; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a game board for three players.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A double spiral chess game board is shown in FIGS.

l and 2, and is constructed essentially by designing a circular board of four (or any even number so that colors will remain the same) rows deep (five concentric circles forming four rows of squares when radii are added), and after plotting on these same circles from the circles axis or center 24 radii with an equal spacing of 15 cut along one (any) of the radii, halving the design. Then with one-half of said design stationary, slide the movable one-half of said design one square (along radii that were cut). This forms a double spiral once the squares are colored in the regular fashion of similar game boards (with two dissimilar colors alternately).

A 4 row double spiral game board is comprised of 48 white squares and 48 black, a total of 96. When two rows are added to each side, (forming a six row double spiral game board), then the total number of squares comprising the board is increased by 48 (24 white and 24 black, alternately). With each addition of two rows thereafter, the total squares of said board are increased by 48 similarly.

As above indicated, FIG. 3 shows a board for four players, each player having a quadrant. To construct a quadruple spiral game board for the playing of team chess, take a completed double spiral game board, with 20 radii per side with a spacing of 9 instead of 12 radii 15 apart, and by cutting said design along the radii which are perpendicular to the previously cut radii and moving one-half in an equal fashion to the shift performed in constructing the double spiral game board, this forms four separate spirals with four separate and distinct quadrants one quadrant per player.

The familiar square chess (64 squares) board, according to the prior art, is constructed so that the player controlling the center of said board is in the more powerful position. Also it is a common tactic to move the king piece as little as possible and to guard said stationary figure.

In accordance with this invention, the double spiral board is constructed so that the player controlling the perimeter of said board is in the more powerful position. When the game is played on any double spiral board (but especially the eight row double spiral board) with the pre-established agreement between the two players that another (the third) way to win, (the first being the strategic capture of your opponents king piece, and second, your opponent's resignation) is to be the first of the two players to safely complete the maneuver of their king into the center island of said board.

It will be observed in FIG. 4 that there are three spirally designed playing territories, one for each of the players. The construction is along the lines of that above discussed and will be clear.

In each of the figures, the individual pieces are identified by the symbols as follows:

R Rook N Knight B Bishop 0 Queen K King P Pawn Recommended rules of piece movement Rows Point of Per Rejuvena- Side tion Pawn Knight King Bishop Rook 4 Opponent Double .lump Single Standard Standard Moves Back Row Option On Standard Diagonal Along First Move Jump Diagonal Opponent Then one Single or Standard Standard and in 6 Back Row Space at Double Diagonal Spiral Turn Standard Jump or Thru Center Double Standard Standard 8 Center Depends on Standard Diagonal Number of Jump Players Option for first one to safely move King to center edge of W If unobstructed draws 15 King, Pawn Knight move through center as Rook.

Plotting courses of specific pieces through center of various boards.

A double spiral game board of any even number of rows for two players in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2.

A. Bishop (FIG. 1, square 1) if allowed a clear path may move up along the right diagonal to square 3 on edge of center. Bishop moves now to first square of same color in row directly opposite (square 5) completing S pattern ending on square 7, move 1 through 7 one fluid move, if unobstructed B. Rook placed (FIG. 2, square la) allowed a clear path would move along (or up) radius to square 2a on edge of center then to alternate colored square in row exactly opposite (square 3a), and finishing stroke moving along new radius from same square 30 to square 40, or from 50 to 6a, and 6a to 7a, and

7a to 80, moving from 5a through 80 is one fluid movement, taking only one turn to complete if unobstructed by any pieces.

1b Rook at (FIG. 2 square 1a) may also move to right along spiral to square 9, or left along same spiral to square 10 on edge of center.

Pawn and King move through center like Rook. Queen has option of either Bishop pattern, if unobstructed, or Rook pattern, if unobstructed. Knight moves through center like Rook, but may ignore pieces in path as in standard chess.

A quadruple spiral game board of any even number of rows, for four players in accordance with FIG. 3.

A. Cutthroat or all vs. all.

1. Bishop at square lb has option to move up right diagonal to square 3b on edge of center, then has option of moving through center to any other quadrant on board, i.e.:

a. From square 3b to 5b, and completing move to square 11b.

b. From square 3b to 7b, and completing move to square 9b.

c. From square 3b to 31), and completing move to square 15b.

2. Rook at square 21b moves up radius to square 2b on edge of center and now has option to move to any other quadrant on board, i.e.

a. From square 2b to 22b, and then completing move down new radius to square 23b. b. From square 2b to square b and then completing move down new radius to square 9b. 0. From square 2b to square 24b and then completing move down new radius to square 25b, if not obstructed.

d. Or from square 21b to right along spiral to square 300}; to left along spiral to square 3b on Queen has option of either Bishop or Rook pattern.

A triple spiral game board of any even number of rows for three players (cutthroat all vs. all), in ac cordance with FIG. 4.

1. Bishop placed at square 10 may move up left diagonal to square 3c on edge of center where Bishop has option of moving to either of the other two board sections.

a. Bishop at square 30 to square 4c and completing maneuver by moving to square Sc.

b. Bishop at square 3 to square 2c and completing maneuver by moving to square 6 if unobstructed.

2. Rook placed at square 11c and moved up axis to square 20 one edge of center has option to move to either of the two remaining sections, i.e.

a. From square 26 through center to square 12c completing move down axis to square 140.

b. From square 2c through center to square 13c completing move down axis to square 150.

c. Or at square to left along spiral to square 22c or right along same spiral to square 21c on center (edge of), if unobstructed.

King Pawn and Knight move through center as Rook Queen has options of either Bishop or Rook.

Two separate games may be played simultaneously on one 4 spiral board.

A vs. C, B vs. D, as indicated on FIG. 3. Movements same as in cutthroat except only option allowed is to enter opponents quadrant through center. Note: A piece (Bishop) may move through (or across) players sections to left or right in process of going to opponents quadrant whether or not pieces of said adjacent players are in the path, but said Bishop (or any other piece) may not land and stay for one turn or more on any squares of said adjacent players quadrants.

For example, on FIG. 3 the Bishop at square 11b may move up to square 10d through center to square 11d and complete move to square 12d, but said Bishop may not stop on or 10a even if clear. A or C may not stop on either B or Ds squares and vice versa.

It will be understood that each player will use pieces which are contrastingly colored from the other players.

What we claim is:

l. A chess game board having the outer configuration and playing pattern shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

2. A chess game board as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one group of outer two-row segments is separable from the center portion of the board, which consists of four rows.

and playing pattern shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

6. A chess game board as claimed in claim 5; whereinat least one group of outer two-row segments is separable from the center portion of the board which consists of four rows. 

1. A chess game board having the outer configuration and playing pattern shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.
 2. A chess game board as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one group of outer two-row segments is separable from the center portion of the board, which consists of four rows.
 3. A chess game board having the outer configuration and playing pattern shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings.
 4. A chess game board as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one group of outer two-row segments is separable from the center portion of the board which consists of four rows.
 5. A chess game board having the outer configuration and playing pattern shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings.
 6. A chess game board as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one group of outer two-row segments is separable from the center portion of the board which consists of four rows. 